Device for moving valve member axially and angularly

ABSTRACT

A DEVICE FOR MOVING A CLOSURE BODY SUCH AS A VALVE STOPPER AXIALLY INTO A SEATED POSITION, THEN ROTATIVELY TO POSITION THE VALVE STOPPER AT A SELECT ANGULAR POSITION, COMPRISING A CYLINDRICAL MEMBER WHICH IS ROTATBLY SUPPORTED IN A FRAME. THE CYLINDRICAL MEMBER IS THREADED AT ONE END FOR ENGAGING THEREON A RING COLLAR WHICH IS AXIALLY MOVABLE THEREOVER WHEN THE CYLINDRICAL MEMBER IS ROTATED BY DRIVE MEANS CONNECTED TO THE OTHER END THEREOF. RING COLLAR SUPPORTS AND CARRIES THEREWITH THE CLOSURE BODY. WHEN THE AXIAL LIMIT OF RING COLLAR IS REACHED, RING COLLAR LOCKS WITH THE CYLINDRICAL MEMBER AND ROTATES THEREWITH FOR PLACEMENT THEREOF AT THE SELECT ANGULAR POSITION. WHEN THE CYLINDRICAL MEMBER IS REVERSED IN ROTATION, A CLUTCH ELEMENT IS PROVIDED TO RESTRAIN THE RING COLLAR FROM ROTATING THEREWITH AND TRAVELS ON THE THREADS OF THE CYLINDRICAL MEMBER IN THE OPPOSTIE AXIAL DIRECTION TO RELEASE THE CLOSURE BODY FROM ITS SEATED POSITION.

C. KOSEFF Nov. 9, 197] DEVICE FOR MOVING VALVE MEMBER AXIALLY AND ANGULARLY 5 SheetsSheet 2 Filed Feb. 5. 1970 [NV/5N! (m CHRIST KosEFF HYW 2 ATTORNEY Nov. 9, 1971 Filed Feb. 5, 1970 C. KOSEFF DEVICE FOR MOVING VALVE MEMBER AXIALLY AND ANGULARLY 3 Sheets-Sheet :5

CHRIST KOSEFF ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofice 3,618,408 DEVICE FOR MOVING VALVE MEMBER AXIALLY AND ANGULARLY Christ Koseff, 525 Carolina St., Gary, Ind. 46402 Filed Feb. 3, 1970, Ser. No. 8,331 Int. Cl. F16h 27/02 US. Cl. 7489.15 16 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A device for moving a closure body such as a valve stopper axially into a seated position, then rotatively to position the valve stopper at a select angular position, comprising a cylindrical member which is rotatably supported in a frame. The cylindrical member is threaded at one end for engaging thereon a ring collar which is axially movable thereover when the cylindrical member is rotated by drive means connected to the other end thereof. Ring collar supports and carries therewith the closure body. When the axial limit of ring collar is reached, ring collar locks with the cylindrical member and rotates therewith for placement thereof at the select angular position. When the cylindrical member is reversed in rotation, a clutch element is provided to restrain the ring collar from rotating therewith and travels on the threads of the cylindrical member in the opposite axial direction to release the closure body from its seated position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to a closure mechanism and more particularly to a rotating mechanism for controlling the angular and axial position of a valve memher.

With reference to a particular application of this invention, the conventional means for controlling the discharge of molten metal from a ladle is to provide the ladle which is normally constructed of steel plates internally lined with refractory brick with an orifice and valve means. The orifice is provided in the bottom of the ladle for pouring out the molten metal and the valve means includes a plug shaped to the discharge orifice of the ladle connected to the end of a rod assembly. The rod assembly is commonly referred to as a stopper rod assembly and it includes a steel rod, a refractory covering for the rod, and a refractory plug commonly referred to as a stopper head which is keyed to the rod by means of a pin. The principal disadvantage of this prior art construction is the excessive wearing of the refractory lining around the stopper rod and the stopper head requiring frequent replacement and repair. This results from the fact that the principal component parts of the valve are immersed in molten metal and therefore subject to excessive heat and wear.

Another important disadvantage of the prior art stopper apparatus is the excessive leakage through the valve if multiple teeming of ingots is attempted. Another disadvantage of this prior art construction is the vulnerability of the stopper rod gooseneck and slide which extend above the ladle, to damaging blows by skulls being lifted out of the ladle by cranes.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Accordingly, in order to overcome the above disadvantages I have provided a new and novel externally mounted valve or stopper head which afiords maximum exposure to ambient atmosphere for adequate cooling and thereby prevent rapid decomposition of material of the stopper head due to heat.

Another object of my invention is to provide a stop- 3,618,408 Patented Nov. 9, 1971 per valve for a ladle having actuating means removed from an overhead position.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a stopper valve which moves easily to open and close an orifice.

An additional object of my invention is to provide a stopper valve which tightly registers with the orifice to seal the orifice when the stopper valve is in the closed position.

Still an additional object of my invention is to provide a stopper valve which bears against the orifice block with a controlled pressure.

An additional object of my invention is to provide a new and novel structure and an arrangement of parts external of a vessel to enable quick and easy replacement of parts and repairs.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent after a careful study of the following description, when read with reference to the accompanying drawings.

These objectives are accomplished by providing a ro tatively driven device for moving a closure body such as a valve stopper axially into a seated position for blocking an orifice, after which the valve stopper is rotated to a select angular position for aligning an eccentric passageway in the valve stopper with the orifice. A cylindrical member is rotatably supported in a frame. The cylindrical member is threaded at one end for engaging thereon a ring collar which is axially movable thereover when the cylindrical member is rotated by drive means connected to the other end thereof. The ring collar supports and carries therewith the closure body. When the axial limit of the ring collar is reached, the ring collar locks with the cylindrical member and rotates therewith for placement thereof at the select angular position. When the cylindrical member is reversed in rotation, a clutch element is provided to restrain the ring collar from rotating therewith and travels on the threads of the cylindrical member in the opposite axial direction to release the closure body from its seated position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanied drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of my invention showing the stopper head in registration with the orifice of the ladle the bottom part of which is shown in fragment; elevation is a diametral plane;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section of my invention taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of my invention with a portion of the bottom ring plate broken away;

FIG. 4 is a crosssectional detail taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan view in section showing an alternate means for allowing only unidirectional rotation of the sto er head;

FIG. 6 is a vertical section of the alternate means of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of my invention showing the stopper head released from registration with the ladle orifice, the elevation is sectioned along a diametral plane;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation in section showing an alternate drive means for rotating the stopper head assembly; and

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of my invention showing the motor means attached to the alternate drive means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As stated above, the rotating mechanism of my invention will be described with reference to a particular application which for purposes of this application is a valve apparatus for teeming molten metal from a ladle. It should be understood, however, that the mechanism of my valve apparatus may be applicable to any art requiring a mechanical movement obtainable by my device which shall be particularly defined in the appended claims hereto. Therefore, for purposes of illustration and example only, I will describe my invention with reference to the art of teeming metal to illustrate the applicability of my invention to a difficult environment.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings and especially FIG. 1, reference numeral designates my invention in general. My invention comprises a frame which includes a top support plate 12 adapted for bolt connection to the bottom plate 14 of ladle 16 shown in fragment. Top plate 12 is provided with a central opening 18 which is stepped to provide a shouldered annulum 20 which mates with a flanged end 22 of ceramic nozzle 24 of ladle 16. Depending from top support plate 12 are spacer bars 26 having in the distal ends thereof threaded holes to receive screw members 28 which connect thereto bottom support plate 30. Bottom support plate 30 is provided with a central opening 32 and circumferentially spaced therearound in bottom support plate 30 are threaded holes for receiving therein connecting screw members 34. Central opening 32 in bottom support plate 30 is fitted with a collar member 36 having radially extending lugs 38 therearound which contain holes for alignment with threaded holes in bottom support plate 30 and by which means collar member 36 is connected to bottom support plate 30 by means of said screw members 34. Rotatably fitted within collar member 36 is a cylindrical or sleeve member 40 having formed on the top end thereof a stop flange 42, lead screw threads 44, and at the bottom end thereof stop shoulder 46, and threads 48. Sleeve member 40 is provided with a bearing surface 43 intermediate the ends thereof for rotating in collar member 36. The bottom end of sleeve member 40 is preferably reduced in diameter to provide stop shoulder 46 which is coterminous with collar member 36. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, ratchet device 50 which serves as a drive means comprises a gear ring 52 having internal threads 54 for screw connection to threads 48 on the bottom end of sleeve member 40. Formed on the exterior of gear ring 52 are pawl engaging teeth 56 circumferentially therearound. In the bottom side of gear ring 52 is a radial notch 58 in which is fitted a key bar 60 connected to ring 52 by means of screw 62 which serves to lock gear ring 52 to sleeve member 40 by fitting into a notch 64 provided therefor. Pawl handle assembly of ratchet device 50 comprises top and bottom ring plates 66 and 68 which sandwiches gear ring 52 and are connected together by means of screws 70. I provide a double end pawl 72 pivotally connected between top and bottom ring plates 66 and 68 by means of center pin 74. Spring centering recesses 76 and 78 are provided on each side of center pin 74 to receive the end of a pressure spring 80 fixed in the end of lever handle 82. The end of lever handle 82 is formed to slip fit in passageways 84 and 86 provided between top and bottom ring plates 66 and 68 so that lever handle 82 may be removably connected therein for rotating ratchet device 50. Ratchet device 50 is made to operate in either direction merely by removing the lever handle 82 and inserting the end thereof in either of the handle passageways 84 and 86. Therefore, by operating ratchet device 50, sleeve member 40 may be rotated in either direction without axial displacement thereof.

The valve or stopper head 88 of my invention comprises a closure head 90 having a stepped flange 92 at the base thereof and a shaft 94. Shaft 94 of my closure head 90 is polygonal in cross section, preferably square as shown in FIG. 2. The closure head 90 is convex in contour and shaped to register with the concavely depressed end of nozzle 24 of ladle 16. The stepped flange 92 of convex closure head 90 is seated on a platen or wheel member 96 which is formed with a hub 98 shaped to receive the square shank 94 of stopper head 88. Valve head retainer plate 100 is provided with an opening 102 which is formed with a shouldered periphery 104 to lappingly mate with the stepped flange 92 of closure head 90. Retainer plate 100 is detachably connected to the web portion 108 of wheel member 96 by means of screws 106 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Wheel member 96 is formed with a downwardly extending rim 110. The inside corner of downwardly extending rim 110 and web 108 of wheel member 96 is formed to provide a shouldered fillet 112 circumferentially therearound to provide body wherein a plurality of alternately spaced holes 114 and 116 are formed circumferentially therearound. Hole 114 is provided equally spaced therearound to receive therein coil springs 118 which are retained therein by the advancing end 120 of screw shaft elements 122 which are threadedly connected to ring collar 124 through threaded holes 126 provided therein. Threaded holes 126 are axially alignable with holes 114 in wheel member 96. Also provided in the shouldered fillet 112 of wheel member 96 are threaded holes 116 spaced circumferentially therearound for receiving therein the threaded end of shank bolts 128. Ring collar 124 is further provided with a plurality of holes 130 spaced circumferentially therearound axially alignable with threaded holes 116 for receiving the shank portion 132 of bolt 128. Shank portion 132 of bolt 128 is axially extensive to allow vertical movement of ring collar 124 within the limits of the head of bolt 128 and the seat of shoulder fillet 112. Ring collar 124 is provided with internal threads 134, preferably square threads, which are threadedly engaged with lead screw threads 44 of sleeve member 40. Connected to the bottom side of ring collar 124 concentric therewith is a torsion spring clutch 136. Torsion spring clutch 136 comprises torsion coil spring 138 supported upright in an annular shaped bracket 140 having a top flange 144 extending outwardly in which are provided spaced holes circumferentially therearound through which screws 142 are connected to ring collar 124 to support bracket 140. Bracket 140 is also formed with an inwardly extending lip for axially supporting torsion coil spring 138 an dclutch ring 146. Clutch ring 146 is slip fitted over collar member 36. I provide a hole adjacent the bottom edge of clutch ring 146 for fixedly receiving therein guide pin 148 which extends inwardly of said clutch ring 146 and into a longitudinal notch 150 in collar member 36 which functions to key clutch ring 146 against rotational movement and allow only axial movement on collar member 36. A radial notch 152 is provided in the top flange 144 of bracket 140 for receiving the top end of torsion coil spring 138 for anchoring said end to ring collar 124. The other end of spring 138 is not anchored and the coil body of torsion spring 138 is frictionally fitted between bracket 140 and clutch ring 146. The frictional drag between the coil body of torsion spring 138 and bracket 140 is sufiicient to prevent rotation of ring collar 124 due to the frictional drag of square threads 44 and 134 until ring collar 124 reaches the upper limit of its screw travel and binds against stop flange 42 of sleeve member 40. At this time ring collar 124 threadedly locks with sleeve member 40 and any further rotation by sleeve member 40 is under suflicient force to overcome the friction drag between torsion coil spring 138 and bracket 140.

FIGS. 5 and 6, and 8 and 9, illustrate alternate forms of structure of certain parts of my invention. FIGS. 5 and 6 show a modified means for accomplishing the clutch action of torsion spring clutch 136 above described. FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a motor drive means for rotating gear ring 52 in place of manually operable ratchet device 50 above described. With particular reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, modified ring collar 124a is provided with a pair of diametrally opposed depending shafts 154 which are securely fixed to ring collar 124a in any convenient manner. Connected to bottom support plate 30 by means of screws 156 are upstanding spring leaf stops 158 located thereon in diametrally opposed relation. I-shape upstanding spring leaf stops 158 in the form of a Z to provide a base for screw connection to bottom support plate 30 and a horizontally projecting end 160 spaced elevated from bottom support plate 30 by means of upright spring plate 162. The shaft engaging edge 164 of end 160 is beveled to provide a wedging surface in the path of circularly moving depending shafts 154 which may be resiliently movable to maintain tangential contact with the circular path of depending shafts 154. A shaft engaging notch 166 is provided in horizontal projecting end 160 facing the lee side of bevel edge 164 which functions to stop circularly moving depending shafts 154 when counterrotated. The horizontally projecting end 160 of upstanding spring stops 158 is spaced from bottom support plate 30 to coterminate with the upper end of collar member 36. Depending ends of shafts 154 extend downwardly to engage horizontally projecting end 160 when ring collar 124a is located at its uppermost position on sleeve member 40. The resiliency of upright spring plate 162 of spring stops 158 is sufficiently stiff to resist outward movement when depending shafts 154 engage the bevel side or edge 164 of horizontally projecting end 160. Accordingly, bevel edge 164 of end 160 serves as a stop means for depending shafts 154 so long as the rotating force acting on ring collar 124a is not greater than the force of friction between sleeve member 40 and ring collar 124a at lead screw threads 44 and 134 therebetween. When the rotation of sleeve member 40 causes ring collar 124a held stationary by the nonyielding beveled side 164 of horizontally projecting end 160 of spring stops 158, to advance on lead screw threads 144 to its uppermost position and lock against flange 42, additional rotation of sleeve member 40 is effective to resiliently depress the beveled side of horizontal projecting end 160 of spring stops 158 and thereby allow circularly movable depending shafts 154 to continue'rotation. Any counterrotation of sleeve member 40 will cause counterrotation of ring collar 124a until depending shafts 154 carried thereby is stopped by notches 166 in horizontally projecting shelf 160. Further counterrotation of sleeve member 40 will be effective to break the thread lock between ring collar 124a and flange 42 of sleeve member 40 allowing ring collar 124a to threadedly retreat on lead screw threads 144 thereby moving stopper head 88 axially away from nozzle 24.

Now with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9; gear ring 62a is formed as a worm wheel by providing concave shaped screw threads 168 around the outer periphery thereof. Worm pinion 170 is tangentially positioned to worm wheel 62a and meshed therewith. Worm pinion 170 is journally supported for rotation in housing 172 which serves the dual purposes of a covering and supporting in place worm pinion 170 and electric motor 174. An opening 176 is provided in the bottom of housing 172 for communicating the passageway in stopper head 88 with the exterior thereof. Bolts 178 through apertufed lugs 180 provided on housing 172 serve to connect the housing and electric motor 174 to bottom support plate 30. A remote control switch (not shown) connects to cable 172 to drive electric motor 174 in either direction.

In the operation of my invention, reference is made to FIG. 7 which illustrates the open position of the valve mechanism embodying my invention applicable to the teeming of molten metal from a ladle. When the ladle 16 is empty it is desirable to maintain stopper head 88 in a released position which is accomplished by counterrotating sleeve member 40 causing ring collar 124 to retreat on lead screw threads 44. Ring collar 124 carries with it screw elements 122 which resiliently support wheel member 96 by the interposition therebetween of coil springs 118. To close stopper head 88 against nozzle 24 of ladle 16 and place the apparatus of my invention in operation to control the registry of passageway 184 in nozzle 24 and passageway 186 in stopper head 88, ratchet gear ring 52 is rotated by means of handle 82 operating ratchet device 50 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, or by operating electric motor 174 to drive worm wheel 52a as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The rotation thereof causes sleeve member 40 to rotate the lead screw end thereof inside ring collar 124 threadedly engaged therewith. Ring collar 124 does not rotate with sleeve member 40 for the reason that the friction drag at the threaded connection therebetween is insufficient to overcome the friction drag between torsion coil spring 138 and clutch ring 146 against which spring 138 is coiled. The resulting movement is the advancement of ring collar 124 on lead screw threads 44 until the top side thereof binds against flange 42. The advancing movement of ring collar 124 carries with it screw elements 122 which are threadedly connected thereto and wheel member assembly 96 resiliently supported on ad justably positioned screw elements 122. When closure head abuts against the concave seat in nozzle 24, friction drag between torsion coil spring 138 and spring clutch 146 is supplemented by the friction drag between closure head 90 and nozzle 24 to maintain ring collar 124 stationary during the screw movement of threads 44. The supplemented friction drag of closure head 90 is suflicient to overcome the increased friction drag at screw threads 134 and 44 between ring collar 124 and sleeve member 40 respectively occasioned by the increased friction drag at threads 134 and 44 by the compressing of coil springs 118 supporting wheel member assembly 96. When ring collar 124 reaches its uppermost position on sleeve member 40 and locks thereon by binding against flange 42, continued rotation of sleeve member 40 will carry therewith wheel member assembly 96, the motion thereof being transmitted through the lateral abutment of shank bolts 128. The rotative force acting on torsion coil spring 138 will be sufliciently excessive to overcome the friction drag between said spring138 and clutch ring 146 which is held rotationally stationary by virtue of guide pin 148 fixed thereto and riding in longitudinal notch 150. Closure head 90 of stopper head 88 is closed against nozzle 24 with a predetermined force provided by coil springs 118 and the axial position of screw elements 122. Rotation of sleeve member 40 in the same direction will place passageway 186 in stopper head 88 in registration with passageway 184 of nozzle 24 to discharge the contents of ladle 16 therethrough. Further rotation of stopper head 88 will remove passageway 186 in stopper head 88 out of registration with passageway 184 of nozzle 24 to eflect the closing thereof and thereby controlling of the discharge of molten metal from ladle 16.

When the valve mechanism embodying my invention is not in use, it is desirable to separate the abutting surfaces of closure elements 90 and 24 and release the stress of spring elements 118. Accordingly, ratchet gear ring 52 or worm wheel 52a, by means of the motive devices above described, is rotated in the opposite direction which for purposes of this description is referred to as counter-rotation. Sleeve member 40 is counterrotated tending to rotate therewith ring collar 124. Movement of ring collar 124 in the counter-direction carries therewith annular bracket including the anchored end of torsion coil spring 138 in radial notch 152. This causes the radial tightening of torsion spring 138 against clutch ring 146. Tightening of torsion spring 138 against stationary clutch ring 146 prevents further rotation of bracket 140 and ring collar 124 with suflicient resistance to break the lock between ring collar 124 and flange 42 of sleeve member 40. Continued counterrotation of sleeve member 40 will cause ring collar 124 to retreat on lead screw threads 44 until abutment is made against the top end of collar member 36 at the lowermost point of travel.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, it is obvious that the same movements of ring collar 124a relative to sleeve member 40 is obtained when sleeve member 40 is rotated or counterrotated. During rotation of sleeve member 40, depending shafts 154 connecting ring collar 124a will abut against bevel edge 164 of shelf of upstanding spring stops 158, stopping further rotation of ring collar 124a initially dragged by the force of friction between lead screw threads 44 and 134 therebetween. As stated above the resiliency of upright spring plate 162 is sufficiently stiff to resist the force of the friction drag at threads 44 and 134 and thereby maintaining ring collar 124a rotationally stationary causing it to advance on lead screw threads 44 of sleeve member 40 until abutment is made against flange 42 thereon. At this time the locking engagement caused by abutment of ring collar 124a against flange 42 will transmit suflicient force to depending shafts 154 to ride against bevel edge 164 and resiliently depress upright spring plate 162 to move end 160 out of its path. Any counterrotation of ring collar 124a will cause the hooking engagement of depending shafts 154 in notch 166 of end 160 preventing further counterrotation of ring collar 124a which action will unlock the screw connection between ring collar 124a and sleeve member 40. With ring collar 124a so held rotationally will cause ring collar 124a to retreat on lead screw threads 44 of sleeve member 40 until abutment is made thereby against the top end of collar member 36.

It is apparent from the above description that my invention provides a rotational movement which accomplishes an axial displacement of a closure means with a preselected force. Further rotational force will produce rotation only. A counterrotating movement will accomplish an axial release of the closure member.

I claim:

1. A device for moving a body axially and angularly comprising:

a support frame;

a cylindrical member rotatably supported on said support frame,

said cylindrical member being provided at one end thereof with threads and a stop means; means connected to the other end of said cylindrical member for rotating said cylindrical member; means on said support frame for maintaining said cylindrical member axially immovable; an internally threaded ring collar member threadedly engaged to said threaded end of said cylindrical member;

said ring collar having a plurality of abutting means spaced circumferentially therearound;

axially adjustable members extending above said ring collar;

a platen member supported on said axially adjustable members;

said platen member having a plurality of shank members depending therefrom laterally engaging said abutting means of said ring collar; and

clutch means engaging said ring collar effective to prevent rotation of said ring collar with said cylindrical member when said ring collar is spaced from said stop means, and inelfective to prevent said rotation thereof when said ring collar engages said stop means of said cylindrical member.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said cylindrical memher is further characterized as having a bearing surface portion for rotation intermediate said ends thereof, said one end of said cylindrical member provided with threads and a stop means being diametrally larger than said bearing surface portion, and said other end of said cylindrical member being diametrally smaller than said bearing surface portion.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said other end of said cylindrical member is provided with connecting means for holding thereto means for rotating said cylindrical member.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said means on said support frame for maintaining said cylindrical member axially immovable is further characterized as being connected to said support frame, journally supporting said cylindrical member around said bearing surface portion,

8 and maintaining said cylindrical member axially immovable by being in abutment at the ends thereof with said diametrally larger one end of said cylindrical member and said means for rotating said cylindrical member.

5. The device of claim 3 wherein said means for rotating said cylindrical member is further characterized as being a ratchet wheel and lever for rotating said ratchet wheel.

6. The device of claim 3 wherein said means for rotating said cylindrical member is further characterized as being a gear wheel and motor worm drive for rotating said gear wheel.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said platen member is further characterized as having an apertured hub for receiving therein said body for axial and angular movement.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said abutting means spaced circumferentially around said ring collar are further characterized as apertures through said ring collar; and said shank members depending from said platen member are further characterized as being inserted through said apertures in said ring collar.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said axially adjustable members extending above said ring collar are further characterized as screw shafts threadedly connecting said ring collar.

10. A device for axially moving and rotating a closure body comprising:

a support frame;

a cylindrical member rotatably supported on said support frame,

said cylindrical member being provided at one end thereof with exterior threads and a stop flange; gear means connected to the other end of said cylindrical member for rotating said cylindrical member;

collar means on said support frame for maintaining said cylindrical member axially immovable;

an internally threaded ring collar member threadedly engaged to said threaded end of said cylindrical member;

said ring collar having a plurality of apertures therethrough spaced circumferentially therearound; axially adjustable shaft members connected in alternate apertures of said plural apertures in said ring collar;

a platen member supported on said axially adjustable shaft members;

said platen member having means for connecting thereto said closure body;

said platen member having a plurality of shank members depending therefrom spaced therearound extending through the other of said apertures in said ring collar; and

a clutch device engaging said ring collar effective to prevent rotation of said ring collar with said cylindrical member when said ring collar is spaced from said stop flange, and ineffective to prevent rotation thereof when said ring collar engages said stop flange of said cylindrical member.

11. A device for axially moving and rotating a closure body comprising:

a support frame;

a sleeve member rotatably supported on said support frame,

said sleeve member being provided at one end thereof with exterior threads and a stop flange; gear means connected to the other end of said sleeve member for rotating said sleeve member;

collar means on said support frame for maintaining said sleeve member axially immovable;

an internally threaded ring collar member threadedly engaged to said threaded end of said sleeve member;

said ring collar having a plurality of apertures therethrough spaced circumferentially therearound,

alternate apertures of said plural apertures in said ring collar being fitted with axially adjustable shaft members;

a platen member supported on said axially adjustable shaft members;

said platen member having means for connecting thereto said closure body;

said platen member having a plurality of shank members depending therefrom spaced therearound extending through the other of said apertures in said ring collar; and

a clutch device engaging said ring collar effective to prevent rotation of said ring collar with said sleeve member when said ring collar is spaced from said stop flange, and ineffective to prevent rotation thereof when said ring collar engages said stop flange of said sleeve member.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein said platen is further characterized as being provided with receptacles for receiving the ends of said axially adjustable shaft members.

13. The device of claim 11 wherein spring means are fitted in said receptacles for interposition between said platen member and said axially adjustable shaft members for resilient movement therebetween.

14. A device for sequentially moving a closure head axially and angularly comprising:

15.'A device for sequentially moving a closure hea axially and angularly comprising:

a base member; a support plate;

means connecting said support plate and said base member in spaced relation;

said support plate having a central opening;

a collar member in said central opening connected to said support plate;

a sleeve member rotatably journalled in said collar member,

said sleeve member provided with a bearing surface intermediate the ends thereof, one end of said sleeve member being diametrally larger than said bearing surface;

said one end provided with external threads and a stop flange;

a gear ring member connected to the other end of said sleeve member;

said collar member journally supporting said sleeve member at said bearing surface between said one end thereof and said gear ring member;

a ring collar member provided with internal threads threadedly connected to said threads on said one end of said sleeve member;

axially adjustable means on said ring collar;

a base member;

a support plate;

means connecting said support plate and said base member in spaced relation;

said support plate having a central opening;

a collar member in said central opening connected to said support plate;

a sleeve member rotatably journalled in said collar member,

said sleeve member provided with a bearing surface intermediate the ends thereof, one end of said sleeve member being diametrically larger than said bearing surface,

said one end provided with external threads and a stop flange;

a gear ring member connected to the other end of said sleeve member;

said collar member journally supporting said sleeve member at said bearing surface between said one end thereof and said gear ring member;

a ring collar member provided with internal threads threadedly connected to said threads on said one end of said sleeve member;

axially adjustable means on said ring collar;

a wheel member supported on said axially adjustable means on said ring collar;

hub means on said wheel member for supporting said closure head;

means linking said wheel member and said ring collar member for preventing relative angular movement therebetween;

annular bracket member connected to said ring collar concentrically depending therefrom;

a clutch ring member supported by said annular bracket member concentrically spaced therefrom, said clutch ring member being keyed to said collar member for axial sliding movement thereover;

a coil spring in said space between said annular bracket member and said clutch ring member concentrically spaced therefrom,

oneend of said coil spring being free and the other end of said spring being connected to said annular bracket member for tightening against said clutch ring member when moving thereover in one direction and slipping thereover when moving in the other direction; and

drive means for rotating said gear ring member.

a wheel member supported on said axially adjustable means on said ring collar; hub means on said wheel member for supporting said closure head; means linking said Wheel member and said ring collar member for preventing relative angular movement therebetween; a shaft member depending from said ring collar; a spring stop means connected to said support plate extending upright therefrom,

the upright end thereof being angled to project into the path of said shaft member depending from said ring collar, said upright end provided witha beveled side to allow said shaft member to move past said spring stop means when moving in one direction, and said upright end provided with a shaft engaging stop means to prevent said shaft member from moving past said spring stop means when moving in the other direction; and drive means for rotating said gear ring member. 16. The device of claim 15 wherein said shaft member 50 depending from said ring collar is further characterized as at least extending to said collar member, and said spring stop means connected to said support plate is further characterized as extending upright to position said angled end thereof at least coterminous with the depending end of said shaft member.

References Cited WILLIAM F. ODEA, Primary Examiner W. S. RATLIFF, 111., Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

